"Tough as Nails, Still Got Grace: Togaru Kamakiri and the Reluctant Ally’s Rise Toward Justice"
Rise Beyond Legacy x My Hero Academia Final Season Problogs
By Sterling, Founder of Black Cards Of History LLC
The Loudest Voice Sometimes Comes Last—But Still Matters
In the final season of My Hero Academia, we’re seeing every student evolve—not just in power, but in personal character. And in the Rise Beyond Legacy series, it’s important to recognize all kinds of growth—especially the kind that isn’t polished, picture-perfect, or even particularly vocal.
So let’s talk about Togaru Kamakiri.
He’s intense. He’s sharp (literally and figuratively). And while he might not be the student who raises his hand to volunteer for a cultural event or proudly wave a banner in the name of solidarity, that doesn’t mean he’s not affected. In fact, Kamakiri represents a type of person we often overlook in conversations around justice: the reluctant ally.
Section 1: Kamakiri’s Rough Edges Meet the Roots of Resilience
Togaru’s personality can be summed up in two words: combat-ready. He’s brash, impulsive, and easily irritated. He lives in the now, doesn’t often dive into reflection, and can come off as self-centered. So, would he jump at the chance to honor Black History Month? Probably not.
But here’s where it gets nuanced: Kamakiri respects strength. And that respect is what opens the door for him to connect—perhaps begrudgingly—with the deeply rooted stories of resistance and revolution in Black history. Harriet Tubman? Nat Turner? Ida B. Wells? Fighters in every sense of the word.
He may not attend a panel discussion on economic justice, but he would watch a video about Black Panther Party members organizing armed patrols to protect Black neighborhoods. He might not join a poetry slam on cultural identity, but he would listen to how Muhammad Ali turned boxing into political commentary. His entry point is intensity. His connection is resilience.
Section 2: When Action Beats Aesthetic
Kamakiri wouldn’t decorate the classroom for Black History Month. He wouldn’t wear a kente cloth hoodie. He might even roll his eyes at a group presentation if it feels too “feel-good.”
But if his classmates—especially ones he respects—challenge him to do something real, something raw, something that aligns with his values? He’d step up.
That’s why, in my opinion, Kamakiri’s contribution to the classroom YouTube assignment would be deceptively powerful. His video, titled “Tough as Nails: Black Warriors in History,” wouldn’t have soft transitions or fancy edits. It might not have a smooth narration. But it would have grit.
It would probably feature:
- Historical footage and stylized clips of Black soldiers, revolutionaries, and martial artists.
- Rough-cut narration laced with admiration and awe, not pity or performative allyship.
- A sense of personal growth underneath the surface—a realization that Black history is not a side story, but a battle-tested blueprint for survival and greatness.
Section 3: What Kamakiri Teaches Us About Allyship
There’s a tendency in justice movements to expect people to show up the same way: loud, educated, polished, and ready with the perfect words. Kamakiri breaks that mold.
He’s proof that allyship can start in unlikely places. Sometimes it doesn’t start with empathy. It starts with respect. With curiosity. With being called in, not called out.
Kamakiri may never become the face of a movement, and that’s okay. But the fact that someone like him—even with his harsh delivery and defensive armor—can find his own path into Black excellence and economic justice? That’s a victory. Because every stronghold needs a fighter on the front lines, even if he has claws.
Final Thoughts: Real Allies Aren’t Always Polished
I gave Kamakiri a 5/10, not because he’s unimportant, but because his journey is still in progress. And that matters. Because some of the best allies, advocates, and protectors start out skeptical. They don’t jump on board right away. But when they do—it’s with full intensity.
Kamakiri’s version of supporting Black excellence doesn’t look like a photoshoot or a TED Talk. It seems like a tribute to strength. A nod to resilience. And a YouTube video that might just inspire someone who also thinks they don’t “fit” the movement to realize... maybe they do after all.